[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1655 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1655
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend Federal Pell Grant
eligibility to certain short-term workforce programs.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 17, 2023
Mr. Scott of Virginia (for himself, Ms. Blunt Rochester, and Ms.
Norton) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and the Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend Federal Pell Grant
eligibility to certain short-term workforce programs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Jobs to Compete Act''.
SEC. 2. WORKFORCE PELL GRANTS.
Section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a),
as amended by section 703 of the FAFSA Simplification Act (title VII of
division FF of Public Law 116-260), is further amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(k) Workforce Pell Grants Program.--
``(1) In general.--For award year 2025-2026 and each
succeeding award year, the Secretary shall award grants
(referred to as a `Workforce Pell Grants') to eligible students
under paragraph (2) in accordance with this subsection.
``(2) Eligible students.--To be eligible to receive a
Workforce Pell Grant under this subsection for any period of
enrollment, a student shall meet the eligibility requirements
for a Federal Pell Grant under this section, except that the
student--
``(A) notwithstanding the eligibility requirements
with respect to the program of study, shall be
enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, in an eligible
workforce program described in section 481(b)(3),
offered by an eligible institution of higher education
(as defined in section 481(b)(3)(F)); and
``(B) notwithstanding the eligibility requirements
with respect to the first undergraduate baccalaureate
course of study under subsection (d)(1) may have
completed such first undergraduate baccalaureate course
of study, but shall not have received a
postbaccalaureate degree.
``(3) Terms and conditions of awards.--The Secretary shall
award Workforce Pell Grants under this subsection in the same
manner and with the same terms and conditions as the Secretary
awards Federal Pell Grants under subsection (b), except that a
student who is eligible for a grant equal to less than the
amount of the minimum Federal Pell Grant because the eligible
workforce program in which the student is enrolled or accepted
for enrollment is less than an academic year (in hours of
instruction or weeks of duration) may still be eligible for a
Workforce Pell Grant.
``(4) Prevention of double benefits.--No eligible student
described in paragraph (2) may, for the same period of
enrollment, receive both a grant under this subsection and a
Federal Pell Grant under subsection (b) or (c).
``(5) Inclusion in total eligibility period.--Any period
during which a student receives a Workforce Federal Pell Grant
under this subsection shall be included in calculating the
student's period of eligibility for Federal Pell Grants under
subsection (d), and the eligibility requirements regarding
students who are enrolled in an undergraduate program on less
than a full-time basis shall similarly apply to students who
are enrolled in an eligible workforce program at an eligible
institution of higher education on less than a full-time
basis.''.
SEC. 3. PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY FOR WORKFORCE PELL GRANTS.
(a) Eligible Workforce Programs.--Section 481(b) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1088(b)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs
(4) and (5), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Eligible program for purposes of workforce pell
grants.--
``(A) In general.--A program is an eligible program
for purposes of the Workforce Pell Grants program under
section 401(k) (referred to in this paragraph as an
`eligible workforce program') only if the program--
``(i) is at least 150 clock hours of
instruction, but less than 600 clock hours of
instruction (or an equivalent number of credit
hours) offered during a minimum of 8 weeks, but
less than 15 weeks;
``(ii) in a case in which the State in
which the program is located, or a Federal
agency, has established the minimum number of
clock hours (or an equivalent number of credit
hours) required for the training provided by
such program, does not exceed by more than 50
percent such minimum number of clock hours (or
credit hours);
``(iii) is a career and technical education
program at an eligible institution of higher
education;
``(iv) provides an education aligned with
the requirements of high-skill, high-wage, or
in-demand industry sectors or occupations
(including in nontraditional fields) in the
State or local area in which the program is
provided, as determined by an accrediting
agency or association recognized by the
Secretary pursuant to section 496(a)(4)(C),
after validation of such determination by--
``(I) the State board or local
board that serves such State or local
area;
``(II) the eligible agency for such
State, on the basis of the sectors or
occupations in such State that such
eligible agency identifies under
section 122(d)(13)(C) of the Carl D.
Perkins Career and Technical Education
Act of 2006;
``(III) the eligible agency for
such State, on the basis of the results
of the comprehensive needs assessment
submitted to the agency under section
134(b)(1) of the Carl D. Perkins Career
and Technical Education Act of 2006
with respect to the local area in which
the program is provided; or
``(IV) an industry or sector
partnership convened by or acting in
partnership with the State board or
local board that serves such State or
local area;
``(v) is a program--
``(I) provided through an eligible
training provider, as described under
section 122(d) of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act; and
``(II) subject to the reporting
requirements of section 116(d)(4) of
the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act, or would be subject to
such requirements except for a waiver
issued to a State under section 189(i)
of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act;
``(vi) has been determined by the eligible
institution of higher education providing such
program (after validation of that determination
by at least one of the entities described in
subclauses (I) through (IV) of clause (iv)) to
provide academic content, an amount of
instructional time, competencies, and a
recognized postsecondary credential that are
sufficient to--
``(I) meet the hiring requirements
of potential employers in the sectors
or occupations described in clause
(iv); and
``(II) satisfy any applicable
educational prerequisite requirement
for professional licensure or
certification in the State or States in
which the program is offered, so that a
student who completes the program and
seeks employment is qualified to
practice or find employment in such
sectors or occupations that the program
prepares students to enter, including,
if applicable, being qualified to take
any relevant licensure or certification
examinations that may be needed to
practice such employment;
``(vii) subject to subparagraph (E),
provides a student, upon completion of the
program, with a recognized postsecondary
credential that is stackable and portable
across multiple employers and geographical
areas;
``(viii) not later than 18 months after the
date the program has been approved as an
eligible workforce program under this
paragraph, has demonstrated that students who
complete the program receive a median increase
of 20 percent of median earnings as compared to
median earnings of such students prior to
enrolling in such program, in accordance with
subparagraph (B);
``(ix) not later than 18 months after the
date the program has been approved as an
eligible workforce program under this
paragraph, has demonstrated (on the basis of
the data collected under section 131(i) and
such other information as the Secretary may
require) that the median earnings of students
who complete such program, as calculated in
accordance with subparagraph (B)(i)(II), exceed
the median earnings for adults who are at least
25 years old, but younger than 35 years old,
with only high school diploma (or a recognized
equivalent) in the State in which the program
is located, based on data from the Bureau of
the Census and approved by the Secretary;
``(x) publishes prominently on the website
of the institution, and provides a written
disclosure to each prospective student prior to
entering into an enrollment agreement for such
program (which each such student shall confirm
receiving through a written affirmation prior
to entering such enrollment agreement)
containing, at a minimum, the following
information calculated, as applicable, in
accordance with section 131(i), including--
``(I) the required tuition and fees
of the program;
``(II) the difference between
required tuition and fees described in
subclause (I) and any grant aid (which
does not need to be repaid) provided to
the student;
``(III) the completion rate of the
program;
``(IV) the employment rates of
students who complete the program,
measured at approximately 6 months and
1 year, respectively, after completion
of the program;
``(V) median earnings of students
who complete the program, as calculated
in accordance with subparagraph
(B)(i)(II));
``(VI) median earnings of students
who do not complete the program,
calculated based on earnings
approximately 6 months after ceasing
enrollment in the program;
``(VII) the ratio of the amount
that is the difference between required
tuition and fees and any grant aid
provided to the student described in
subclause (II) to the median earnings
of students described in subclause (V);
``(VIII) an explanation, in clear
and plain language that shall be
specified by the Secretary, of the
ratio described in subclause (VII); and
``(IX) in the case of a program
that prepares students for a
professional licensure or certification
examination, the share of such students
who pass such examinations;
``(xi) prepares students to pursue one or
more related certificate or degree programs at
one or more institutions of higher education
(which may include the eligible institution of
higher education providing the eligible
workforce program), including--
``(I) by ensuring the acceptability
of the credits received under the
workforce program toward meeting such
certificate or degree program
requirements (such as through an
articulation agreement as defined in
section 486A); and
``(II) subject to subparagraph (B),
by ensuring that a student who
completes noncredit coursework in the
workforce program, upon completion of
the workforce program and enrollment in
such a related certificate or degree
program, will receive academic credit
for such noncredit coursework that will
be accepted toward meeting such
certificate or degree program
requirements;
``(xii) is not offered exclusively through
distance education or a correspondence course,
except as determined by the Secretary to be
necessary, on a temporary basis, in connection
with a--
``(I) major disaster or emergency
declared by the President under section
401 or 501 of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 and
5191); or
``(II) national emergency declared
by the President under section 201 of
the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C.
1601 et seq.);
``(xiii) includes counseling for students
to--
``(I) support each such student in
achieving the student's education and
career goals; and
``(II) ensure that each such
student receives information on--
``(aa) the sectors or
occupations described in clause
(iv) for which the eligible
workforce program provides
training (including the median
earnings of students who have
completed the program, as
calculated in accordance with
subparagraph (B)(i)(II), and
are employed in such sectors or
occupations);
``(bb) the related
certificate or degree programs
described in clause (xi) for
which the workforce program
provides preparation; and
``(cc) other sources of
financial aid or other
assistance for any component of
the student's cost of
attendance (as defined in
section 472);
``(xiv) meets requirements that are
applicable to a program of training to prepare
students for gainful employment in a recognized
occupation;
``(xv) has been offered by an institution
for not less than 1 year prior to a
determination by such agency or association
under this paragraph;
``(xvi) has a verified completion rate of
at least 70 percent, calculated so as to ensure
that a student shall be counted as a completion
if the student completes the program within 150
percent of the normal time for completion;
``(xvii) has a verified a employment
placement rate of at least 70 percent, as
determined in accordance with the regulations
of the Secretary;
``(xviii) submits to the Secretary, for
each institutional fiscal year, disclosures on
the expenditures of the program; and
``(xix) in the case of a program that has
been approved for not less than 4 years as an
eligible workforce program under this
paragraph, for each of the 3 most recent fiscal
years for which the institution submits the
disclosures under clause (xviii), the amount
expended by the program for educational
spending is greater than or equal to an amount
equal to 1/2 of the amount of revenue for such
program derived from tuition and fees for such
program.
``(B) Median earnings increase requirement.--
``(i) In general.--Subject to clauses (ii)
and (iii), the Secretary shall, using the data
collected under section 131(i) and such other
information as the Secretary may require,
determine whether a workforce program meets the
requirements of subparagraph (A)(viii) with
respect to whether the students who complete
the program receive a median increase of 20
percent of such students' median earnings. For
the purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary
shall determine such percentage increase by
calculating the difference between--
``(I) the median earnings of
students who enroll in such program,
calculated based on earnings
approximately 6 months prior to
enrollment; and
``(II) the median earnings of
students who complete such program,
calculated based on earnings
approximately 6 months after completing
such program, subject to clause (ii).
``(ii) Exclusion.--An eligible institution
of higher education offering a program has been
approved as an eligible workforce program under
this paragraph may exclude from the calculation
under clause (i)(II) any students who are
enrolled in any eligible program (as such term
is defined in this subsection) at the time that
earnings are evaluated under clause (i)(II).
``(iii) Date of effect.--The requirement
under this paragraph shall take effect
beginning on the date that is 18 months after
the date the program has been approved as an
eligible workforce program under this
paragraph.
``(C) Appeals process.--The Secretary shall
establish an appeals process to permit any program has
been approved as an eligible workforce program under
this paragraph to submit alternate earnings data to
comply with subparagraph (A)(ix) or subparagraph (B),
provided that such data are statistically rigorous,
accurate, comparable, and representative of students
who receive a Workforce Pell Grant, and enroll in and
complete the program.
``(D) Approval by the secretary.--
``(i) Initial eligibility.--
``(I) In general.--In the case of a
program that is seeking to establish
initial eligibility as an eligible
workforce program under this paragraph,
the Secretary shall make a
determination whether the program meets
the requirements of this paragraph not
more than 120 days after the date on
which such program is submitted for
consideration as an eligible workforce
program. If the Secretary determines
the program meets the requirements of
this paragraph, the Secretary shall
grant an initial period of approval of
2 years.
``(II) Additional state
assurance.--The Secretary shall not
determine that a program is an eligible
workforce program in accordance with
subclause (I) unless the Secretary
receives a certification from the State
in which the eligible workforce program
is provided, containing an assurance
that the program meets the requirements
of clauses (iv) through (vi) of
subparagraph (A).
``(ii) Renewal of approval by the
secretary.--An eligible workforce program that
desires to continue eligibility as an eligible
workforce program after the period of initial
approval described in clause (i), or the
subsequent period described in this clause,
shall submit a renewal application to the
Secretary (with such information as the
Secretary may require), not more than 270 days
and not less than 180 days before the end of
the previous approval period. If the Secretary
determines the program meets such requirements,
the Secretary shall grant another period of
approval for 3 years.
``(iii) Revocation of approval by the
secretary.--If at any time the Secretary
determines that a program previously approved
under clause (i) or (ii) is no longer meeting
any of the requirements of an eligible
workforce program described in this subsection,
the Secretary--
``(I) shall deny a subsequent
renewal of approval in accordance with
clause (ii) for such program after the
expiration of the approval period;
``(II) may withdraw approval for
such program before the expiration of
the approval period;
``(III) shall ensure students who
enrolled in such programs have access
to transcripts for completed coursework
without a fee or monetary charge and
without regard to any balance owed to
the institution; and
``(IV) shall prohibit such program
and any substantially similar program,
from being considered an eligible
workforce program described in this
subsection for a period of not less
than 5 years.
``(E) Exceptions for certain programs.--The
requirements of subparagraph (A)(ix)(II) and the
requirement that a program be stackable (as described
in subparagraph (A)(vii)) shall not apply to any
program seeking approval as an eligible workforce
program under this paragraph with respect to which at
least one of the entities described in subclauses (I)
through (IV) of subparagraph (A)(iv) determines--
``(i) prepares students for employment in
an occupation for which there is only one
recognized postsecondary credential; and
``(ii) provides students with such a
credential upon completion of such program.
``(F) Eligibility for participation in federal
direct loan program.--A program that has been approved
as an eligible workforce program under this paragraph
is an eligible program for purposes of part D only if
such program consists of at least 300 clock hours of
instruction, but less than 600 clock hours of
instruction (or an equivalent number of credit hours)
offered during a minimum of 10 weeks, but less than 15
weeks.
``(G) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
``(i) Career and technical education.--The
term `career and technical education' has the
meaning given the term in section 3 of the Carl
D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act
of 2006.
``(ii) Educational spending.--
``(I) In general.--The term
`educational spending' means amounts
expended on instruction or
instructional activities, academic
support, and support services.
``(II) Exclusions.--The term
`educational spending' does not include
amounts expended on recruiting
activities, advertising, or other pre-
enrollment expenditures.
``(iii) Eligible institution of higher
education.--The term `eligible institution of
higher education' means an institution of
higher education (as defined in section 102)
that--
``(I) is approved by an accrediting
agency or association that meets the
requirements of section 496(a)(4)(C);
and
``(II) has not been subject, during
any of the preceding 5 years, to--
``(aa) any suspension,
emergency action, or
termination of programs under
this title;
``(bb) any adverse action
by the institution's
accrediting agency or
association; or
``(cc) any action by the
State to revoke a license or
other authority to operate.
``(iv) Median earnings.--The term `median
earnings' means the median annualized earnings,
calculated using earnings for a pay period,
month, quarter, or other time period deemed
appropriate by the Secretary.
``(v) WIOA definitions.--The terms
`industry or sector partnership', `in-demand
industry sector or occupation', `recognized
postsecondary credential', `local board', and
`State board' have the meanings given such
terms in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act.''.
(b) Sunset of Loan Eligibility for Certain Short-Term Programs.--
Section 481(b)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1088(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following--
``(C) No program may be determined eligible under
this paragraph on or after the date that is 60 days
after the date on which the Secretary approves the
first workforce program for purposes of the Workforce
Pell Grants Program under section 401(k).''.
SEC. 4. DATA COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION RELATED TO WORKFORCE PELL.
Section 131 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(i) Interagency Data Coordination and Data Collection Related to
Workforce Pell.--
``(1) Interagency data coordination.--The Secretary shall
coordinate with the Secretary of Labor to ensure access to data
necessary to implement this subsection that is not otherwise
available to the Secretary, including such data related to
indicators of performance collected under section 116 of the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
``(2) Data on eligible workforce programs.--Except as
provided under paragraph (3), the Secretary, in coordination
with the National Center for Education Statistics, the
Secretary of Labor, and each institution of higher education
offering an eligible workforce program for which the Secretary
awards Workforce Federal Pell Grants under section 401(k),
shall, on an annual basis and using, to the greatest extent
practicable, data otherwise available to the Secretary,
collect, verify, and make publicly available on the College
Scorecard, or any similar successor website, information with
respect to such eligible workforce program, including, at a
minimum, the following:
``(A) the length of the program (as measured in
clock hours, credit hours, or weeks);
``(B) the number and demographics of students who
enroll in the program during the most recent academic
year for which data is available, disaggregated by--
``(i) sex;
``(ii) race and ethnicity;
``(iii) classification as a student with a
disability;
``(iv) income quintile, as defined by the
Secretary;
``(v) military or veteran benefit status;
``(vi) status as a first-time student or
transfer student from another institution;
``(vii) status as a first generation
college student;
``(viii) status as parent or guardian of 1
or more dependent children;
``(ix) status as a confined or incarcerated
individual, as defined under section
484(t)(1)(A); and
``(x) status as a recipient of a Workforce
Federal Pell Grant;
``(C) the number and demographics, disaggregated by
the categories listed in subparagraph (B), of students
who--
``(i) complete the program within 150
percent of the normal time for completion of
such program; and
``(ii) do not complete the program;
``(D) the required tuition and fees of the program;
``(E) the median earnings (as defined in section
481(b)(3)(F)) of students, disaggregated by the
categories listed in subparagraph (B), who--
``(i) complete the program, calculated
based on earnings approximately 6 months after
completing such program; and
``(ii) do not complete the program,
calculated based on earnings approximately 6
months after ceasing enrollment in such
program; and
``(F) outcomes of the students who complete the
program, disaggregated by the categories listed in
subparagraph (B), with respect to--
``(i) the median time for completion of
such students;
``(ii) the employment rates of such
students--
``(I) 6 months after completion of
such program; and
``(II) 1 year after completion of
such program;
``(iii) in the case of a program that
prepares students for a professional licensure
or certification examination, the percentage of
such students who pass such examinations;
``(iv) the percentage of such students who
enroll in a certificate or degree program at
the institution of higher education offering
the program within 1 year of completing such
program;
``(v) the percentage of such students who
transfer to another institution of higher
education within 1 year of completing such
program; and
``(vi) the percentage of such students who
complete a subsequent certificate or degree
program at any institution of higher education
within 6 years of completing such program.
``(3) Exceptions.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
this subsection--
``(A) if disclosure of any data under paragraph (1)
is prohibited from disclosure due to applicable privacy
restrictions under State or Federal privacy laws or
regulations, the Secretary may take such steps as the
Secretary determines necessary to provide meaningful
disaggregated student demographic or outcome
information, including combining categories;
``(B) an institution may submit, and the Secretary
may publish, data required to be collected under
paragraph (2) that is obtained through a State
Unemployment Insurance Agency or through other
supplemental means, in lieu of any additional data
collection, provided that such data are statistically
rigorous, accurate, comparable, and representative;
``(C) to the extent that another provision of this
Act, or any regulation prescribed under this Act,
requires the same reporting or collection of data that
is required under paragraph (2), the Secretary may
consider the reporting under such provision or
regulation to satisfy the requirements of paragraph
(2); and
``(D) the Secretary, in consultation with the
Secretary of Labor, may modify or waive the
requirements to disaggregate data by the categories
listed in paragraph (2)(B) for data described in
subparagraphs (E) and (F)(iii) of paragraph (2) to
align with the reporting requirements of section
116(d)(4) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act, streamline reporting requirements, and minimize
reporting burdens.''.
SEC. 5. ACCREDITING AGENCY DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE WORKFORCE PELL GRANTS PROGRAM.
(a) Recognition of Accrediting Agency or Association.--Section
496(a)(4) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099b(a)(4))
is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by inserting ``and'' after the
semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) if such agency or association has or seeks to
include within its scope of recognition the evaluation
of the quality of institutions of higher education
offering an eligible workforce program for purposes of
the Workforce Federal Pell Grant program under section
401(k), such agency or association shall, in addition
to meeting the other requirements of this subpart,
demonstrate to the Secretary that, with respect to such
eligible workforce programs--
``(i) the agency or association's standards
include a process for determining if the
institution has the capability to effectively
offer an eligible workforce program; and
``(ii) the agency or association requires a
demonstration that the program--
``(I) has identified each
recognized postsecondary credential
offered in the relevant industry in the
State or local area where the industry
is located; and
``(II) provides academic content,
an amount of instructional time,
competencies, and a recognized
postsecondary credential sufficient to
satisfy any applicable educational
requirement for professional licensure
or certification in the State or States
in which the program is offered, so
that a student who completes the
program and seeks employment is
qualified to practice or find
employment in the sectors or
occupations that the program prepares
students to enter, including, if
applicable, being qualified to take any
relevant licensure or certification
examinations that may be needed to
practice such employment.''.
(b) Additional NACIQI Review Meetings.--For the purpose of
preparing for the implementation of the Workforce Pell Grant program
under section 401(k) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as added by
section 4), in addition to the meetings required under section
114(d)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1011c(d)(1)),
the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity
(as established by such section 114) shall, through 2025, hold meetings
to evaluate the additions to the scope of recognition of accrediting
agencies and associations with respect to an eligible workforce program
for purposes of the Workforce Pell Grants program (in accordance with
section 481(b)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as added by
section 3).
(c) Interim Accreditation Authority.--
(1) Notification.--Beginning on the date of enactment of
this Act, a qualified accrediting agency or association which
seeks to include within its scope of recognition the evaluation
of the quality of institutions offering eligible workforce
programs for the purposes of the Workforce Pell Grants program,
may include within its scope of recognition the evaluation of
such institutions if the accrediting agency or association--
(A) submits to the Secretary a notification of the
agency's or association's intent to add the evaluation
of such institutions to its scope of recognition; and
(B) includes with such notification an explanation
of how the agency or association intends to meet the
criteria under section 496(a)(4)(C) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (as added by subsection (a)) with
respect to the evaluation of institutions for purposes
of the Workforce Pell Grants program.
(2) Review of scope of changes.--Upon receipt of a
notification from an accrediting agency or association under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall direct the National Advisory
Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (as
established by section 114 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1011c)) to evaluate, at the next available meeting
of such Committee, the addition to the scope of recognition of
the agency or association and to advise the Secretary with
respect to whether the agency or association meets the criteria
under section 496(a)(4)(C) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(as added by subsection (a)).
(3) Termination of interim authority.--The interim
authority under this subsection for an agency or association to
include within its scope of recognition the evaluation of the
quality of institutions offering eligible workforce programs
for the purposes of the Workforce Pell Grants program shall
terminate on the earlier of--
(A) the date that is 5 years after the date of
enactment of this Act; or
(B) the date on which the Secretary determines
whether such agency or association meets the criteria
under section 496(a)(4)(C) of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (as added by subsection (a)).
(4) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Qualified accrediting agency or association.--
The term ``qualified accrediting agency or
association'' means an accrediting agency or
association recognized by the Secretary under section
496 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1099b) that seeks, for the first time, to add to its
scope of recognition the evaluation of the quality of
institutions offering an eligible workforce program for
purposes of the Workforce Pell Grants program.
(B) Workforce pell grants program.--The term
``Workforce Pell Grants program'' means the Workforce
Pell Grant program under section 401(k) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (as added by section 2).
SEC. 6. WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT AMENDMENT.
(a) In General.--
(1) Eligible training provider reports.--Section 116(d)(4)
of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
3141(d)(4)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' after
the semicolon;
(B) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) for programs of study of an eligible provider
participating in the Workforce Federal Pell Grant
program under section 401(k) of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 such information related to employment and
earnings as may be required under section 481(b)(3),
including information relating to the total earnings
increase under section 481(b)(3)(B), except that the
sanctions for failure to report under subsection
(f)(1)(B) of this section shall not apply to this
subparagraph.''.
(2) Interagency data coordination.--Section 116(i) of the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141(i)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Interagency data coordination for workforce federal
pell grant program.--The Secretary of Labor shall coordinate
with the Secretary of Education to ensure access to data
necessary to implement sections 401(k) and 481(b)(3) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a(k); 1088(b)(3))
that is not otherwise available to the Secretary of Education,
which may include data related to unemployment insurance, wage
information, employment-related outcomes, and indicators of
performance collected under this section.''.
<all>